Set in 1718 Jamaica, the acting governor (Peter Boyle) of the island puts the island's primary judge (Bernard Behrens) into prison and confiscates his wealth. So his daughter (Genevieve Bujold) hires a pirate (Robert Shaw) to assassinate him. Based on the short story THE SCARLET BUCCANEER by Paul Wheeler and directed by James Goldstone (RED SKY AT MORNING). If you don't ask too much of it, this faux swashbuckler is modestly entertaining. But you know it's not the real thing. Robert Shaw's buccaneer doesn't have the panache of an Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power and while the movie is a parody/satire of the genre, it's a half hearted attempt and holds back. It needed to go full throttle like Richard Lester did with his THREE MUSKETEERS (1973) which was a satire yet a genuine swashbuckler. Even John Addison's score can't seem to make up its mind. Parts of it are thrilling and parts of it are Mickey "hey, this is a comedy" Mouse music. With James Earl Jones, Beau Bridges, Anjelica Huston, Geoffrey Holder, Dorothy Tristan and Avery Schreiber.
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